Description
The movie that transformed Keanu Reeves into a bona fide action hero, Speed was also former cinematographer Jan De Bonts assured directorial debut. Its an almost perfect high-concept movie that lives up to its title both in the adroit choreography of the action set-pieces and Graham Yosts taut screenplay, which is admirably stripped of all padding.
De Bont further heightens the excitement by his use of authentic locations as the out-of-control bus travels through, across and–in one unforgettable scene–a few feet in the air above the urban sprawl of LA. And instead of relegating the love interest to a dull subplot, here Sandra Bullock is an integral part of the action as she and her bus career around the city at 50-plus miles an hour. Even the opening credits neatly illustrate the films title, as does composer Mark Mancinas pulsing score.
